February 10 may mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year — the Year of the Snake — but January 23 will be known as the day the Era of Zou began. Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum announced the signing of two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner and three-time World Amateur Champion Zou Shiming. Arum made the announcement today at a press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel Bejing.

Credit: Top Rank

“Zou is an incredible talent who is beloved in the People’s Republic of China,” said Arum. “We at Top Rank will make every effort to make certain that he has a spectacular career as a professional boxer.”

Shiming, 31, one of the most popular Olympic athletes in the People’s Republic of China, is the world’s greatest amateur light flyweight, capturing gold medals in the World Amateur Championships in 2005, 2007 and 2011 while capturing gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. He also owns an Olympic Bronze Medal from the 2004 games, making him his nation’s first Olympic medalist in boxing as well as its first boxing Gold Medalist in the World Amateur Championships and the Olympics.

Known for his extraordinary speed and superb footwork, thanks to years of martial-arts training, many of Shiming’s opponents complain that they cannot keep up with him much less see his punches coming. He has stated that his heroes are Muhammad Ali and Jackie Chan. Shiming is scheduled to make his professional debut on April 6 at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel in Macau.

“We are extremely grateful to the Sands China Ltd. for its great cooperation in this venture to launch the professional career of this great young athlete,” continued Arum.